Changes coming to Milwaukee's Fire & Police Commission

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Members of the Milwaukee Common Council want to give the public more input when it comes to deciding who sits on the Fire and Police Commission, but community activists say it's not enough. 

Next Thursday, January 24th, Fire & Police Commission appointee Ann Wilson will sit before the Milwaukee Common Council. For the first time ever, the public will be allowed to submit written questions to Wilson. 

Increased transparency and input when it comes to the Fire & Police Commission has been a demand from the public.

"We have listened to the community. We're doing everything we can to respond," Milwaukee Common Council President Willie Hines said.

"This is one way for us to continue to make sure that not only government is open and transparent, but we also continue to make sure that the public is heard," Alderman Joe Davis said.

The public has been questioning the Commission. Mistrust boiled over after the FPC decided to let Milwaukee Police Officer Richard Schoen have his job back after he was seen punching a woman in a squad car, but they later overturned that decision.

"We know in the recent past there have been some issues with the FPC," Alderman Davis said.

Community activist Tory Lowe says these issues are not getting better. He says the community should be involved with the process from the very beginning -- working with the Common Council and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett to figure out who should be appointed.

"It doesn't go far enough. It's not transparent enough. We need to have more input with what's going on with our government, but we are being shut out," Lowe said.

Common Council members say they hope this will mend strained relationships and restore trust.

"We're trying to mold a change and mold a system that works not only for this hearing, but for hearings five years from now," Alderman Terry Witkowski said.

On January 24th, the Common Council will also examine the Fire & Police Commission, analyzing day-to-day operations and seeing how the Commission measures up with others in the state. If problems are found, more changes could be on the way.